Its official. Editors of the Time/Princeton Review College Guide  a co-publication of Time magazine and the Princeton Review  have declared USC College of the Year in their 2000 edition, which appeared in bookstores and on newsstands August 23.The rationale for this signal honor: recognition of the most ambitious social-outreach program of any private university in the nation,as Time editors put it. A six-page article in the guide delved into USCs model of service learning  the practice of applying academic theory to real-life situations through public service.More institutions might do well to emulate USCs enlightened self-interest, the guidebook editors opined. For not only has the hood dramatically improved, but so has the university.

Time/Princeton Reviews tribute recognizes the tireless work of residents living near the university, as well as thousands of neighborhood institutions, USC students, faculty and staff members. The article singled out for special praise the Neighborhood Academic Initiative  an intensive college-prep program that leads to full USC scholarships for the inner-city youths who complete it.The emphasis on combining academics and service has actually helped recruit some of the worlds best and brightest students, says USC senior vice president for external relations Jane G. Pisano, proving that you can do good and do well at the same time.

 Sharon Stewart

Feeling good about doing goodHundreds of USC students, faculty and staff, neighbors and area school children came out on the first day of classes to celebrate USCs selection as College of the Year 2000.